A line of U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base's 354th Fighter Squadron sit in their parking spots at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Oct. 3, 2012. These aircraft and their aircrews will soon be responsible for providing responsive and precise close-air support to NATO and Afghan ground forces operating in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Raymond Geoffroy) Full size

Note: The VIRIN code for this photo is 121003-F-SI013-378. Visible are eight "Hogs" from the 354th EFS. The revetments are numbered (from right): 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, ... Seems like revetment 8 is the parking spot for A-10C 79-0198 just after arrival.

An A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base's 354th Fighter Squadron holds up a flag which he carried in his cockpit as he flew to Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Oct. 3, 2012. Davis-Monthan A-10 aircrews will soon be responsible for providing responsive and precise close-air support to NATO and Afghan ground forces operating in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Raymond Geoffroy)Full size

Note: The VIRIN code for this photo is 121003-F-SI013-372

An A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base's 354th Fighter Squadron taxis his aircraft to its parking spot at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Oct. 3, 2012. Davis-Monthan A-10 aircrews will soon be responsible for providing responsive and precise close-air support to NATO and Afghan ground forces operating in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Raymond Geoffroy)Full size

Note: The VIRIN code for this photo is 121003-F-SI013-350

An aircraft maintainer from the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron marshals a U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base's 354th Fighter Squadron to its parking spot at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Oct. 3, 2012. Davis-Monthan pilots and maintainers are some of the newest members of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Nevison)Full size

Note: Pictured is A-10C 79-0167. The VIRIN code for this photo is 121003-F-AO544-147.

Aircraft maintainers from the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron off load a U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base's 354th Fighter Squadron to its parking spot at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Oct. 3, 2012. Davis-Monthan pilots and maintainers are some of the newest members of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Nevison)Full size

Note: Pictured is A-10C 79-0167. The VIRIN code for this photo is 121003-F-AO544-164.

Dedicated in Love

This blog is dedicated to Marina Naumann, my latest female partner who died after incurable pancreas cancer on June 17, 2010, just only a half year after diagnosis. Marina was the second true wife in my life, and she always supported my long-year enthusiastic research work on the Hog, especially since the beginning of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Rest in peace, Marina.